Agenda - 09-09-2004 - 10a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 9, 2004 Action Agenda Item No. SUBJECT: Political Sign Regulations and Discussion of Potential Revisions to Sign Ordinance DEPARTMENT: Planning & Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No ATTACHMENT(S): 8/30/04 Political Signs and Sign Enforcement Memo Lessons Learned — Political Sign Enforcement Abstract from 8 -23 -04 BOCC /PB Work Session Enforcement Areas — Political Signs Comparison of Existing & Proposed Regulations INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Benedict, Director, Ext. 2592 Robert P. Davis, Planner Ill, Ext. 2580 Carla Thames, Planner I, Ext. 2603 David Fencl, Planner II /ZEO, Ext. 2607 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732 -8181 Chapel Hill 968 -4501 Durham 688 -7331 Mebane 336- 227 -2031 PURPOSE: To receive a report on: 1) enforcement of political sign regulations prior to the November 2, 2004 election based on existing ordinance requirements; and 2) potential revisions and modifications to Article 9 of the Zoning Ordinance — Sign Regulations, for consideration at the November 22, 2004 Quarterly Public Hearing. BACKGROUND: In response to questions concerning the County's enforcement of its political sign regulations, the Planning Department in June 2004 mailed each candidate for public office a letter explaining the County's political sign regulations, a blank Zoning Compliance Permit for Political Signs, and a one -page bulletin — Special Notice About Posting Election Campaign Signs in Orange County. In early July, the Planning Department began removal of improperly located political signs on selected roads within the County's planning jurisdiction. Removal of improperly placed political signs illustrated that there was a significant amount of uncertainty among candidates about where signs could legally be placed. Planning Department staff also recognized the difficulty in enforcement of the existing regulations in the field (See attached Lessons Learned — Political Sign Enforcement). In order to clarify where political signs may be located, staff will interpret the existing regulations for political signs displayed prior to the November 2, 2004 election as follows: Existing Regulation: Except where specifically permitted by this ordinance, all signs, including the supports, frames and embellishments thereto, shall not be located within any required setback area or public right -of -way, nor shall any sign be attached, affixed or painted upon any utility poles, any tree, rock or other natural object within the public right -of -way.